Reviewers: Bluebell140 thank you so much for you once again motivating and consistent reviews, I appreciate them soooo much :_) and SimpleThings for your lovely long reviews that gave me lots of inspiration not only for this chapter but the ones to follow and I like it when people use lots of smiles :D just adds to the joy.
Anyway this chapter gives a little more insight into Gabriella's hectic world, hope you enjoy it enough to review :D, Sasha XxxX
Chapter 11
Gabriella's POV
'what the hell Chad? I'm not answering that!' I exclaimed loudly out of shock, my cheeks heating, that earned a shy smile from troy. The class room settled into an eerie silence. I felt a hand on my shoulder and was prepared to throw off the person until I heard a comfortingly familiar voice say 'you might want to move, she can be a little violent' I stared my eyes wide to the door way.
'Rick!' I exclaimed and ran over to him, and then hesitated 'is it really you?' I said unsure and he chuckled 'course baby, come here' he said and I threw myself into his open arms.
Troy's POV
I glared daggers at this guy called Rick who had just entered the room, I watched as she threw herself at him and how he had called her baby. I felt the green monster returning.
I looked to my left an saw Chad raise an eyebrow and I shrugged shoving my hands deep into my pockets.
Gabriella's POV
'Miss. Montez?' I heard Mrs. Darbus clearing her throat, I turned to her 'yes?' I said obvious irritation seeping involuntarily into my tone as she interrupted (unwisely) our greeting. 'who is this?' she asked equally irritated 'this handsome figure-' I began hearing Rick laugh softly and I looked amused over at troy as he grinded his teeth together angrily 'is my loving and caring-'
I was loving this, the look of confusion and anger on Troy's face but it also hurt the dip in my rib cage, that place that I refused to referrer to as my heart. Back to finishing the question, I paused dramatically for tension… 'brother!' I said excitedly, now when I said I even told Taylor and Ryan about my Brother in uni. Well that wasn't exactly true.
He was meant to be in uni but he was in fact in the army. I admired him so much, I guess he was like another dad, when daddy wasn't there, but then he left and only told me and mum that he joined the army, don't get me wrong he had the degrees to be a doctor and or a lawyer if he wished but he decided on the army, and that meant I hadn't seen him in the last 2 years.
He slung his arm over my shoulders and I watched as Troy relaxed and Ryan beamed and walked up to him 'hi, I'm Ryan' he said and Rick took his extended hand. 'Gabi! You never told me you had a boyfriend!' my mouth dropped open and Ryan started laughing as did I 'he's-' I said as another fit of laughter broke through my lips 'not my Boyfriend!' I said and clenched my stomach 'just a good friend' I said and Rick smiled slyly, 'whatever you say' I punched his arm playfully 'don't you say that, its true!' I said and he nodded 'I know I can tell when you're lying and you're not, to my agrivation I might add' I smiled, I had missed him so much.
'regardless if he is your brother or not, he should not be here' Mrs. Darbus said all snotty and up herself 'you might want to shut your mouth, he's risking his life to go and keep you sorry little hinus butt safe so shut it' I said to her, I get a little defencive 'it ok Gabi, I should go' he said and I looked at him hurt probably evident in my eyes 'don't go, I haven't seen you in nearly two years! And you decide to go because dragon lady over here tells you to!' I heard Mrs. Darbus fume.
'I know, I know, detention, 3:30, drama block, bring an apron' I said reciting my usual ritual for her. 'don't give me cheek young lady!' I rolled my eyes 'you have lessons, I'll meet you in the cafetaria, I want to see my old basketball coach' he said excitedly, and then remember the coach was Troys dad, would that affect me? Sure as hell hope not. (oh and if you don't mind to help me out, I never know the differnce between affect and effect can you help? Please? Thanks xx)
'ok see you later' I said reluctantly, smiling at him before standing in front of Mrs. Darubs 'can I sit down now?' I asked exasperated 'I suppose so' I didn't wait for her to finish before quickly dashing to the back of the classroom and assuming my seat, Troy soon followed suit, to then be coppied by Ryan and Chad.
The rest of the day followed slowly, making sure I had to endure pointless lectures on subjects that were already calved into my brain, permanently. But finally it was lunch and I could see rick. I bounded into the cafeteria to see Rick already sat down. I beamed and walked over to him.
'how'd seeing Coach Bolton go?' I asked him sitting down, his expression resembled something similar to my own, happiness and warmth. 'yeah, its great. He said he's met you?' he question and I resisted the urge to blush, and I refused to face the fact that it was because of Troy.
'yeah, I know his son' I said quietly and Rick nodded 'Troy right?' I nodded absently purposely being cryptic.
'who's he?' he pushed, not accepting a simple answer 'you know the boy I was sat up the front with this morning?' I said warily and he nodded 'that's him' I finished simply, he smirked. 'I didn't miss how you dodged the other dude question' he said and I played dumb 'who?' I said and he waved his hand around 'you know! Afro dude!' he said and I nodded giggling 'that's chad, and I did not dodge his question I just refused to answer it!' I said and he rolled his eyes.
'I don't remembering a uniform here' he commented and I groaned 'you can blame the bimbo's for that' I said rolling my eyes. 'what have you got next?' he asked and I finished my mouthful 'gym' I said absently 'great, then I can watch' he said and I groaned 'nooooo! You can't do that' I whinned 'it'll be embarrassing!' I complained, visualizing Rick sat in the benches watching me, as much as I loved him, I don't think I could deal with the pressure I put on myself to impress him.
'can I come if you can't see me?' he asked looking hopeful 'I won't make a difference, I'll just refrain from looking over to the benches, that's all, I don't mind If I can see you or not I'm still gunna make an idiot out of my self' I grumbled un happily.
The warning bell sounded and I raised from my seat. 'c'mon, I'm going to be late' I said hanking him up, he stretched his arm as he tried to shovel one last mouthfull of pasta in that bottomless pit, 'c'mon!' I said hanking him, making him drop his fork just as it was a centimeter from his mouth.
*~(gym)~*
I groaned as Coach Bolton didn't enter the room, but a sub. Yay, this should be interesting, but it wasn't any substitute but the Spanish teacher. 'hello, I will be teaching you today' she said in her foreign accent,
'now, you have an option, I can attempt to teach you basketball, or you can try your hand at flamenco' she said smiling at us sweetly, her petite frame didn't seem capable of any negative actions to be honest, I couldn't even imagine her shouting.
There was a murmering among the class, I rolled my eyes and let the others decide. I was ready to close my eyes, and ignor it all but I was interrupted 'hello' I looked up and saw our teacher 'hello señorita hiñesta' I said in a mono tone, 'you're Spanish, no?' she asked and I sighed 'why?' I asked I wasn't going to answer without a valid reason 'I was just, curious, you look it that's all' I smiled kindly, but did not answer, after a while she called the class to order to hear their verdict.
'now, what is it to be then?' she asked and the class broke out again into shouting and bickering 'silence!' she attempted to shout but it came out all kind and sweet. I rolled my eyes and walked over to her 'let me handle this' I whispered in her ear, I stepped away from her and glared at the class.
'SHUT THE FUCK UP! YOU WILL BE SILENT RIGHT NOW UNLESS YOU WANT TO BE A SHIVERING WRECK ON THIS CRAP THING THE SCHOOL CAN PASS AS A FLOOR!' it was eerily silent I smiled innocently 'see that wasn't hard was it?' I said sweetly and skipped back to señorita hiñesta's side. 'thank you' she said to me.
'now I want an answer' no one spoke, I sighed 'you can speak now, but one at a time' I said as the class let out a breath. 'we're even each way' Taylor said 'we're an odd numbered class but every time I count its 15 either side' she said and I pressed my lips into a tight line. Tylors eyes flickered to me, and I nodded, 'you have to vote Gabi' she said and everyone look at me.
My mind was saying do Flamenco! You can actually do that! but then I saw Troy looking down, and I knew he wouldn't want to do that, and dacing was probably going to be just as embarrassing for me as it was for him, 'um Basketball' everyone sulked off but the basketball team were jumping about an joking around, Troy didn't move.
His head snapped up and he looked questionaly at me, I shrugged and jogged over to warm up with Taylor and Ryan.
'hey' Tylor said and I remembered that she wasn't ment to be back yet, 'why are you here?' I said in the nicest way possible, she laughed lightly 'we had a change of plan' I groaned 'I could have used you this morning!' I said and she looked confussed 'Mrs. Darbus thought it wise to make Troy and Gabriella answer questions about each other' Rayn explained, Taylor looked sympathetically at me.
'I was shocking really, Troy knew quite a bit about you' Ryan commented and Taylor raised an eyebrow, I blushed and wished once again that I hadn't. 'something your not telling us?' Taylro teased, I slapped her arm playfully 'shut up' I said, we laughed together and walked over to where señorita hiñesta had called us.
'now teams, do I have to do that or can you sort your selves out?' she asked, of course we all said we could do it our selves and of course, that was going to prove difficult.
The basketball team obviously wanted to win, and so, did not pay attention to Sherylin's constant flirting. The cheerleaders didn't know what to do with themselves after that and so they formed the other team and I pretty much equaled up to boys 'v' girls. But we had more girls than boys in the class and so it got a little mixed up.
I didn't realise that Taylor, Ryan and I hadn't choses a side until Chad came bounding up to me. 'hey Gabster' he said and I smiled 'hey Chad' I looked from one team to the other 'are they even?' I asked he nodded 'yep, do you not want to play?' he said and I shook my head.
'not really' he chuckled 'should have known really, you're good at something yet you refuse to play it, and if you don't want to play why did you chose basketball?' he said and I shrugged 'figured you guys wouldn't want to dance' I said and he smiled gratefully 'you know you're not what I expected' he said and I raised and eyebrow.
'no?' I said and he looked into space 'I expected you to be selfcentered and plastic' my brow furrowed 'why?' I said and he chuckled nervously 'now don't take this the wrong way, I mean it as a platonic friend but Gabster you're gorgeous and I sorta expected you to be like Sherylin, but your not. You put others before yourself and frankly I don't know why you and Troy aren't friends again' he said and I froze, where did he get the idea that we should be friends?
He noticed the confussion in my face and explained 'Troy has always gone on about how he wanted a friend who was a girl, and wanted that, nothing more but to be best friends. And then you come along and I fell gald for him, you seemed like you could make him happy'.
'You see its all well and good having guys to hang out with but Troy need to have a different sort of relationship, one that wasn't formed around basketball, I'm sure he would have told you why if you hadn't go into that tiff' he said I swallowed the lump in my throat. 'hurry up now, we need to get started!' the sub called and I looked over my shoulder at a very awkuard looking Taylor and Ryan, well they didn't seem awkuard but the looks on their faces make me awkuard.
'c'mon you guys are joining our team' he said and dragged me and Taylor by our hands to his team 'keep up Evan's' he called to Ryan who smiled and jogged to catch up.
*~(end of gym)~*
'Montez! You shot nothing but net!' chad said to me in disbelief 'don't act so supprized' I grumbled to him, he craked a toothy smile and the rest of the team broke into a low harmonious fit of laughter, I rolled my eyes.
'Rick!' I called for him to come over, waving my hand, he smiled and then came over to us. Slinging an arm around my shoulders he looked at the faces in front of him. 'so, who are theses guys?' he said looking sceptical at all the boys in front of him, as protective as ever.
'these are my friends Rick, don't go beating them up, you know I don't' fit in with girls' I said and he nodded 'sorta hopped that would never change, gorgeous as you are, I know you can stand your own' he said 'and don't we know it' the team murmered 'sorry about that' I looked at Rick 'don't' appologise for me!' I huffed.
He chuckled but ignored me. 'as I was saying' I said, trying hard to hide the attitude in my voice that made me sound like a stroppy toddler, I wasn't doing it very well. 'this is Taylor' I said signalling to Tay with a smile as she reached for his hand, I suppressed a giggle when Rick registered her hard grip on his hand.
'this Ryan you met him this morning' I said stepping back so he could see Ryan 'ey mate' Rick muttered and as he reached over to shake his hand, his shirt sleve pushed up. I saw then his army identification bracelet, he had to wear one like me, one to prove he was an american citizen and to show his medical "complications'" as they liked to put it.
'And this is the basketball team that graciously took us onto their team, as I couldn't be assed to chose a side' I muttered reluctant, Rick gave me a sceptical look 'but you chose basketball, and you hate it!' he said, he knew I didn't want them to know about my flamenco, at least not in detail and so didn't say.
'anyway-' I carried on avoiding his question, or more appropriately put aqusation. 'Chad, Troy, Jason, Zeke and sorry I don't actually know the rest of you' I said sheepish 'that's ok' they chorused I smiled 'you know Troy anyway' I said to Rick.
'yep last time I saw you though you were a little tod' he smiled 'still obsessed with basketball then' he said and Troy smiled, but not at Rick but me. I looked away, narrowly avoiding a blush.
'Rick, still on for this Saturday?' I asked him, we had made plans for the weekend at lunch. 'can I come?' Tay asked and me and Rick cracked up laughing cluching our stomachs 'whats funny?' they demanded 'well-' I laughed again '-unless you want t crawl through mud then I don't think you'd want to' I stated and they looked puzzled 'I have to carry on with my army training and Gabi goes 4 times a week anyway so I thought I'd tag along' Rick explained, 'you shoot?' Jason asked and I nodded 'AK-47, and MAC-11 strickly but I don't' mind a Mini-Uzi' I shrugged 'and remind me why they haven't run away screaming yet?' Rick teased.
'aw this is nothing compared to Troy shivering on the floor' Chad joked and Rick's face went stern 'you promised!' he accused and I shrunk back. 'I didn't mean to, you know when I get into one of my fazes!' I objected and his face softed 'you said they stopped' he said softly 'well I lied, ok? I didn't want you worried out there! And I'd prefere not to discus this here' I stated tight lipped, my arms folded across my chest.
'c'mon pack up and get changed!' Couch Bolton called, so he was here just not teaching us. 'going coach' the team responded immediately. He beamed and walked over 'you know Rick now I see you and Gabriella next to each other I do see the resembalance, don't' know why I didn't see it earlier' he said examining us. 'hope you guys let Gabriella have a go on the court' he verified his team 'actually, we had a hard time getting it off her' Troy spoke singly for the first time In front of Rick.
I blushed and looked down. Coach Bolton came over to me and ruffled my hair 'hey Coach' I said smiling, not bothering with my hair I didn't exactly care. 'hey squirt' he teased 'I'm not that short!' I protested, reaching up on my tip toes, still shorter than him I jumped 'see!-' I said jumping again '-taller' I said satified, everone was laughing 'what?' I said and they just laughed harder.
*~(Drama studio, cast announcements)~*
'settle down. Settle down' Mrs Darbus called. The hall gradually fell silent, I ploncked myself down nosily at the front of the stage 'smooth' Chad joked 'never said I was graceful' I said just as quiet and Mrs. Darbus rambled on dramatically…duh drama teacher (I can be a little think sometimes)
I had ditched Rick carefully, not wanting him to hear me sing, he had never been a fan of our mother singing, or singing in general. He toughened me up, and so thought I had grown out of the habit, which I had-until I came here.
I hadn't told him I was forced to sing again in my letters, I didn't want to get him wound up, we didn't want him going crazy and digging out a old rusty Bayonet.
'no you didn't, but you did skate it' he mocked and I glared 'you mention that again and you will not see daylight again' I said through gritted teeth. 'now to announce the cast' the dragon called, damn it I really should start listening, I missed half of that.
She prattled on through name after name, I got board and started picking at a block of wood with my pen knife. 'is that legal?' Ryan asked worridly, 'yep, its under 2 and a half inches' I said indicating to the stubby blade, 'not buying it' he muttered anyway.
'Troy Bolton' everything went quiet 'what? I can't act! I have Basketball!' I rolled my eyes, suppressing a giggle (I was not doing that again). 'I wouldn't laugh Miss. Montez, you're next on my list' she smiled smug 'ok! 1) I didn't laugh…' I said calmly 'and 2 I thought we talked about this' I said to her. 'talked about what?' she verified 'the heroin' I said and Troy snickered. When chad looked at him strangly he mouthed inside joke.
'I told you that I wanted to act, I only auditioned to sing, and I did that badly so why am I in?' I asked baffled by her decision. She smiled sympathetically 'you can sing and that is what you are doing' I groaned 'nope, I'm going to find a nice sharp, tall, grey, damp, cold cliff' I said and turned to walk, Ryan turned me back round and I realized everyone was taking me seriously.
'what the hell? I was joking! God I'm not suicidal!' I said rolling my eyes sighing. 'well if death isn't a good excuse is that I've been arrested a good one?' I asked her sincerely. You couldn't tell I was buffing, if I did get into trouble I would weassel my way out of it myself or get Rick to.
'the point is, that you will sing all leads' she said and my jaw dropped 'ok! Hang on!' I said holding my hands up 'singing one part is one thing, I could probably get over that with therapy but the whole FICKING LEADS?' I turned to bolt but the whole class had been ready 'oh c'mon…you're on the dragons side? You're insane' I folded my arms across my chest, and sat swiftly on the floor. 'this is ridiculous, I am not doing this!' I refused and mrs. Darbus huffed.
'you need to sing again anyway I need to know who you partner will be'
Mrs. Darbus' POV
Of corse I already knew her partner but I just though a little practice wouldn't go a miss.
Gabriella's POV
'nope' I said looking away, 'its that or suspension' she said and I shrugged 'I don't really care, I don't need to be here' I said and I really didn't, I didn't even mind if she told the whole class 'and did you do well in uni?' she asked and I ignored the gaspes and whispers from the class, 'yes I did actually, 5 master degrees and two regualar degrees' I said and she raised her eyebrows 'really?' she was intrigued and shocked 'I can do work when I choose' I said defencive.
'now just sing Gabriella, I will get your father-' I rolled my eyes 'you think that'd work? daddy they're lying! Please don't tell me off! and que the fake tears! Works every time' I acted giving puppy eyes whilst acting my improvised script. 'fine, you do this or I take art, geography, and graphics off your schedual' I sighed defeated 'I'll do it' I mumbled, those were the only subjects that got me through the week what was I meant to do?
'I will be chosing your song, Troy up' I scowled 'why? I'm not singing in front of everyone' I said stubbornly 'well its good practice so yes you will' I twitched for the pen knife. Siging I pulled it out, instantly the crowd behind us made a wide brepth in the shape of a semi cirle 'relax' I said exasperated and tossed it to Ryan who caught it surprised 'I don't trust myself' he laughed lightly before nodding and slipping it into his pocket.
(Bitch - Meredith Brooks - Gabriella in italics Troy in underline)
I hate the world today
You're so good to me
I know but I can't change
tried to tell you but you look at me like maybe I'm an angel
Underneath
I knew I was being stubborn by not singing but I had folded my arms at this point and was not exactly wavering on my decision to not do so. Troy's voice I guess you could call it a little hypnotising and I was trying hard not to be transfixed like everyone. Mrs. Darbus gave me a pointed look and I sighed, and prepared for my part, I would sing a line to see if it was worth it.
innocent and sweet
It wasn't so bad but I wasn't sure but the next line was coming and Troy gave me a pleading look, I rolled my eyes and sung an octave higher.
Yesterday I cried
You must have been relieved to see the softer side
I can understand how you'd be so confused
I don't envy you
I'm a little bit of everything
all rolled into one
Irritated I realized the next bit was too high for him, evil, conniving little son of a bitch.
I'm a bitch, I'm a lover
I'm a child, I'm a mother
I'm a sinner, I'm a saint
I do not feel ashamed
I'm your health, I'm your dream
I'm nothing in between
You know you wouldn't want it any other way
I folded my arms and tried to bolt but then Mrs. Darbus patted her clip board, meaning; I try to leave and that resulted in an instant removal of my beloved subjects. I stayed where I was but mouth to Troy your turn. I smirked as he stuck his toung out childishly at me.
So take me as I am
This may mean you'll have to be a stronger man
Rest assured that when I start to make you nervous
and I'm going to extremes
tomorrow I will change
and today won't mean a thing
I'm a bitch, I'm a lover
I'm a child, I'm a mother
I'm a sinner, I'm a saint
I do not feel ashamed
I'm your health, I'm your dream
I'm nothing in between
You know you wouldn't want it any other way
Chad chucked Troy a guitar half way through, and Troy looked like he could play but didn't know the chords. I sighed and walked over to him and repositioned his fingers and showed him how to strum, I realized that he wasn't getting it so I took it from him and played myself, the guys mouths dropped open, really what did they expect me to play the harp?
Just when you think you've got me figured out
the season's already changing
I think it's cool you do what you do
and don't try to save me
I could feel myself sinking into the sound of his voice, snap out of it! I yelled at myself, this was getting fucking ridiculous. I realized Troy didn't know if I could play and sing, I was a multi tasker, so I played with extra attitude and sung with some too.
I'm a bitch, I'm a tease
I'm a goddess on my knees
when you hurt, when you suffer
I'm your angel undercover
I've been numbed, I'm revived
can't say I'm not alive
You know I wouldn't want it any other way
Wuhoo, Wuhoo
Wuhoo, Wuhoo
Wuhoo, Wuhoo
I finished and went to run, I was not interested in some sort of humiliation, I just wanted to go home, and sulk with a tub of ice cream and black ops.
I was right next to the door when I heard a slow, loud clapping that echoed through the eerie silence in the drama hall. I was about to turn and tell Ryan that he didn't have to go down with me. But I stopped as I saw who it was.
'Rick?' I said, this was getting really embarrassing. I shuffled uncomfortably under his gaze which I didn't dare meet. I chanced it and was shocked at what I saw there. Pride-lots of that, amazement, shock, and for some reason…fear. What was he scared. 'you ok?' I asked him running over instantly, checking his right arm. 'the implant's fine' he said lowly, didn't stop everyone from hearing.
Rick had been on parole with his mate-Trevor. They had accidentally stepped on a bomb. It was lucky they got away with what they did, Rick was fast and I remember when I was little him and Trevor racing in the back garden. Rick had to have an implant though, one of the bones in his arm was completely shattered. Trevor was worse, he lost the whole arm. He joked about it but we all knew that it hurt his to think about the day to much.
'I should be asking you if you're ok…' he teased feeling my forehead. I smiled 'I would be fine, but dragon lady has me doing this stupid play she threatened taking graphics off my curriculum!' I exclaimed he chuckled 'does it matter?' he said 'its one of three lessons that get me through the week, do you not remember school?' I said trying to get him to understand.
He chuckled 'yeah I do, that's why I went into the army' he said and I cracked a smile 'god! I remember this drama teacher! She was like the devil himself…apart from she's a girl-well we thought she was a girl-' I smiled and then we both shut up 'hello Mr. Montez' Rick's jaw dropped open 'M-Mrs. Darbus?' he stuttered. 'y-you haven't changed a bit' he said weakly hiding behind me 'nice to see you too' she said coldly. I could tell that Rick hadn't had pleasant memories with dragon lady either, hence why he hadn't told me about her.
I heard Chad approach, there was no mistaking his heavy foot falls-believe me. He slung his arms around our shoulders, 'still scary huh?' he asked Rick, I laughed at his expression 'a-a little' he said unsure. He snapped out of it then. 'why the fuck are you making my little sister be here?' he shouted at her, stalking over to her.
I followed, he was a tad protective at times, I had to keep him in check. 'its ok Rick, its not here I don't want to be, I just don't want to sing in front of people, I'd prefer to act' I explained 'well then why the hell aren't you acting?' he asked, I shrugged. 'she's probably the best tester in this school, bringing your averages up and you don't bow at her feet! This school only has one good teacher in it, and you are not it!' mrs. Darbus hadn't said a thing yet, it was worrying.
'you know, I do agree but her father has requested it so' I growled under my breath. 'Ryan, pen knife' I heard him rummage for it, and chuck it at me. I didn't turn to catch it I just caught it with my back turned away, no need for extra effort. 'We're going' I said tight lipped.
Rick understood, daddy needed a talking to. 'calm down a bit Gabi, I'm sure its-' I cut him off 'don't you dare fucking say this is "just a misunderstanding" if you want to keep you head firmly secured to your shoulders.
What do you think? More Troy POV? Up to you review! And thank you to all my lovely reviewers love you all :D
Sasha XxxX